Election: 5 competing for 2 Hambden trustee positions

Five candidates are seeking two open seats on the Hambden Township Board of Trustees. John Bryant, Eric Daniel Germovsek, incumbent Edward W. Kaminski, Donald H. Kleve and incumbent Nadine Pope will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Trustee Keith McClintock is not up for re-election until 2015. There are 3,153 residents eligible to vote in Hambden Township, according to the Geauga County Elections Board. A four-year trustee position pays $943.17 a month, Fiscal Officer Laura Chorman said. Here is what candidates had to say in their election questionnaires:

Bryant Bryant did not return a questionnaire.

Germovsek Germovsek, a teacher with Ledgemont Schools, said improving Hambden Township Park would be his first priority if elected. “Our park is nice, but I would like to make it the best park in the area,” he said. “The ball fields, dugouts and volleyball courts can use some improvements to make them even better and safer than they are right now. My focus will be placed on our dugouts, making the floors of the dugouts concrete instead of the gravel. This will eliminate the gravel that always ends up on the infield, and will eliminate injuries to our players as they slide into home or third base. I will see that the edge of the in/outfield fields are reshaped, and the grass eliminated, making our ball fields look even better than they are now and safer, too.” Other goals include creating a monthly work order list to improve communication between the trustees and the road department, and expanding the road department's crew size.

Kaminski Kaminski, who has been a trustee for 32 years, said he will continue to be a cost-effective government servant while maintaining a user-friendly government for the residents. “The major challenge is to maintain a rural atmosphere in Hambden Township as requested by our residents,” he said. “I will support the zoning resolution and encourage land conservation, continue to provide and improve cost-effective services, such as the Township Park, road improvements, fire/rescue service, cemetery upkeep and good communication through progressive technology updates with no new taxes.” While on the board, newer trucks to better deal with winter snowstorms have been purchased by using state bid contracts to reduce the cost of vehicles for taxpayers, Kaminski added. “Equipment has been updated for reliability and efficiency, allowing township employees to be both efficient and safe,” he said.

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Kleve Kleve did not return a questionnaire.

Pope Pope, who has been a trustee for the past 12 years, previously spent nearly 10 years as Hambden's fiscal officer. Pope said she writes a weekly newspaper column and edits a quarterly township newsletter because one of her priorities is consistently letting residents know what is happening in the township. “... I was instrumental in having a lighted sign placed in front of the township hall listing all meetings and special events,” she said. “These things are all to keep our residents informed. I always urge them to attend our township meetings as well, because it is so important that they are involved in the operation of their township.” Pope said the biggest issue is how to continue to provide the best possible road, park, cemetery, buildings and equipment services to residents without tax increases — while dealing with continued funding cuts. “We plan and save for all major projects and purchases,” Pope added. “We avoid taking on debt. We use state cooperative pricing and competitive bidding. We replace equipment on a 10-year rotation plan, but always save and have a contingency plan for emergencies.”